Juror notes in Carona trial revealed

January 21, 2009 6:08:16 AM PST

SANTA ANA, Calif. --

A juror who served in the corruption trial of former Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona said he felt he might be threatened and that another panelist wanted to acquit in order to "party" with the defendant, according to a note unsealed by the judge on Wednesday.Carona, 53, was acquitted last week of conspiracy and four other counts and convicted only of witness tampering.

"There are certain persons who slept all through the presentations, who have not written down a single word in their trial notes, but have suddenly 'come alive' and just want to acquit," juror No. 3 said in a Jan. 14 note. "Further on, there is a juror who wishes to acquit who, I believe, wants to party with Carona and his women."

"I think I may be threatened," the note continued. "There are other jurors who feel the way I do."

U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Guilford talked to the juror and ordered him to return to deliberations after the man said he did not really feel threatened, defense attorney Brian Sun said.

Much of the trial focused on allegations Carona took bribes from a millionaire who was made an assistant sheriff. Carona's wife and a former mistress are awaiting trial on related charges.

Some jurors told reporters after the trial that they believed Carona was guilty but the statute of limitations had expired on most of the crimes.